DISMAL CRICKET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 109, 10 May 1934, Page 5

DISMAL CRICKET

PLAYED IN A DRIZZLE LEICESTER MATCH DRAWN ' AUSTRALIANS’ OFF DAY (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 8. Drizzling rain made the cricket match, Australia v. Leicestershire, a depressing spectacle on the third day. The Australians, in the field, were soaked, and all wore two sweaters As the play progressed the bowlers became more, and more handicapped by the wet ball, and free scoring by sonic of tho county batsmen accounted for the match being drawn. There was only an hour s play before lunch, and stumps were drawn earlier than on the previous day. The county made 263 for nine wickets in their second innings. Dawson top-scoring with 91, and O-ißeilly and F.eetwood-Smith each taking four wickets. When play was resumed, Leicester fh re having made 35 runs frr one wickets, tho weather was showery, and the wicket in favour of the batsmen. Armstrong (3) and Dawson (17) continued their partnership as a gloomy drizzle set in. Fleetwood-Smith’s length was erratic, some of his deliveries being over-pitched. One ball was beautifully driven by Dawson through cover to the boundary, that being the only noteworthy stroke in the early play. Soon afterwards Armstrong, who is a habitual lbw victim, was out through stepping in front to a ball from i O’Reilly which slipped through quickly. In spite of a continuous drizzle, play was resumed after lunch, and Dawson and Berry scored freely from the bwolcrs, who, handicapped by the wet ball, failed to gain control of length and spin. Dawson and Berry added 100 in 90 minutes, Dawson showing particular strength on the leg side. Eventually he was dismissed when Barftett made a splendid catch behind the wicket. He had batted 155 minutes, and bis score of 91 included 13 fours. His innings was chanceless and he invariably chose the right ball to hit« The score was 160 for three wickets at Dawson’s dismissal, but four wickets then fell in quick succession, three of them going to O’Reilly. With seven down for 175 there seemed a good prospect of Australia forcing a victory. Runs came very freely, however, with Fleetwood-Smith on, his bowling being very ragged. O’Reilly pegged the batsmen down, but had no further success before the tea adjournment, when the score was 210 for seven wickets. The rain had ceased, but there were only a handful of people present to see Leicestershire avert defeat by an innings. Bradman appeared to make a mistake in taking a new ball at 200 and giving it to Ebeling and McCabe, as O’Reilly looked to be tho only bowler likely to dismiss Leicestershire and the new ball was not suited to him. Geary, after a bright knock, was out lbw. Astill’s fighting innings made a draw r.ertaii.n, his unexpectedly stubborn resistance finding the Australians still in the field when stumps were drawn. Leicestershire, in their second innings, baited 270 minutes. Details:— Australia. First Innings, Five wickets for 368 (Innings declared closed.) Leicestershire. First innings 152 Second Innings. Dawson, e c Barnett, b Dar’/ng .. .. 91 Shipman, lbw, b Fleetwood-Smith . .11 Armstrong, lbw, b O’Reilly .... 7 Berry, c sub., b Fleetwood-Smith . 48 Hazclrigg, c Bradman, b O’Reilly . Weston, c sub., b O’Reilly 0 Riddington, b O’Reilly 0 Geary, lbw, b Fleetwood-Smith .. 27 Astill, not out 50 Smith, st Barnett, b FleetwoodSmith 1 Extras 25 Total for nine wickets 263 Bowling: Ebeling took no wickets for 55 runs, McCabe nine for 20, O’Reilly four for 40, Fleetwood-Smith four for 83. IDarling one for 40. CHAPMAN AS CAPTAIN IN RUNNING FOR TESTS. Received May 9. 10.5 p.m. LONDON, May 9. The Daily Mail regards the selection of Chapman as captain of the Marylebone team as surprising and indicating that he is again in the running for the Test captaincy. The News-Chronicffi says that although Chapman’s choice is a pointer to the captaincy of the Test team, the claims of Wyatt, Turnbull ard Walters cannot be overlooked.

HOW LARV/OOD FEELS LONDON. May 8. The doctor stated that Larwood could play to-day, but the match was abandoned owing to rain. Larwood says he feels all right and the pain is gone. MERRITT ’ S PERFORMANCE LONDON, May 8. Playing for East Lancashire in the Lancashire Cricket League, W. E. Merritt, of New Zealand, made 12 runs and took seven wickets for 20 runs. BRADMAN’S “DUCK” THE CAMBRIDGE MATCH Received Mav 10, 1.20 a.m. ‘LONDON, May 9. For the match between the Australian cricketers and Cambridge University the weather was dull and the wicket good but the outfield was damp. The Australians won the toss and batted, losing three for 80 at lunch. Scores are as follow: — Australia. First Innings Woodfull, c Cox, b Davies 21 Ponsford, not out ..... 30 Bradman, b Davies 0 McCabe, c Newman, b Grimshaw 15 Darling, not out 8 Extras 6 Total, three wickets for 80